Responding to Terror

Four ways to react to the horrific bombings in Boston.

Two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday killing three people and injuring over a hundred. One of the dead is an eight year old boy. Seventeen people are currently listed in critical condition and 25 in serious condition. At least 10 people injured had limbs amputated. The FAA placed a temporary flight restriction over the area as the police commissioner urged people to stay home and away from large crowds. Two other explosive devices were found near the finish line. Dr. Alisdair Conn, chief of emergency medicine described the blasts as military style bombing.

"This is like a bomb explosion we hear about in the news in Baghdad or Israel," Alisdair commented as he gave credit to a group of Israeli experts who came two years ago to Mass General Hospital to help them set up a disaster team for this kind of emergency. “Because of them, we were prepared.”

Within an hour of the explosions, NY police sent extra security to landmarks and the White House was placed on lock down. The Boston marathon has been run since 1897 on Patriots Day, the third Monday in April. Thousands of spectators were at the event along with 27,000 runners.

President Obama made a brief statement at the White House after sending his thoughts and prayers to the victims: "We still don't know who did this or why but make no mistake. We will get to the bottom of this. We will find out who did this. We will find out why they did this. Any responsible group will feel the full weight of justice."

As major cities around the country raised security alerts, and the Boston police continued to search the streets for possible undetected explosives, Americans waited to hear information. Who did it? Why did they do it? In this frightening age of terrorism we have no clear answers. The first questions that most reporters asked following the attack were: Were there any warning signs? Did the police receive any threats beforehand? And we are left dazed and shocked once again as officials struggle to find answers and really, few of us know how to react. What should we say? What can we do? How do we deal with this latest, outrageous act of terrorism that, in the words of one of the runners "was absolutely surreal"?

Here are four ways we can respond to terror.

1. Separate idealism from destruction. Many of us wonder: Why would someone plant bombs at a marathon finish line? What ideals were at stake? But it isn’t really relevant what the motivation of the terrorist was because while terrorists may declare their ideals, the only real goal of any terrorist is to destroy. Lives. Families. Societies. As Benjamin Netanyahu once said: “Terrorism is carried out purposefully, in cold-blooded, calculated fashion. The declared goals of the terrorist may change from place to place. He supposedly fights to remedy wrongs-social, religious, national, racial. But for all these problems his only solution is the demolition of the whole structure of society. No partial solution, not even the total redressing of the grievance he complains of, will satisfy him- until our social system is destroyed or delivered into his hands.”

2. Pray. Say a prayer not only for the victims and their families but for mankind. We are living in a generation when these attacks have become so common, some of us don’t even pause when we hear the latest news. Let’s stop. Think about those who were killed. Those who lost limbs. Those who lost any sense of normalcy and security. When we pray we are not only asking God to heal those who are injured, we are also sensitizing ourselves to share the burden of others in whatever way we can. Even if it’s just a moment of silence or a few sentences that we whisper to ourselves, it helps.

3. Help. One man who lives near the finish line in Boston reported that he brought 50 people into his condo immediately following the blasts. Many of them were runners who needed food and drink; most importantly, they just needed somewhere to go as police closed off the streets and blocked entrances to the hotels. Others gave blood as the victims arrived at the emergency rooms. But even for those of us who don’t live in Boston, there are other ways to help. We can send a card or a gift basket to the injured victims in the hospital or to their families. Or get involved in organizations that help terror victims and their families. Do something even if it’s just writing an email or tweet of support and comfort for the victims. Being proactive helps us to regain our hope and sanity.

4. Be grateful. After the attack, one of the runners kept repeating how it was such a beautiful day before the attack. Not too hot. Not too cold. Sunny and breezy. A person trains for months, maybe years to run a marathon. He wakes up the morning of the race, and the weather is perfect. Everything is in place, the race is going just as he envisioned it would be and then suddenly, one’s life is literally toppled over. This reminds us that we are not in control of our lives. And that we need to treat each day as its own gift. Appreciate what we have today. Every limb. Every breath. Every step.

As the news continues to trickle in about the eight year old child who was killed and the dozens of others who are still fighting for their lives, I think about what David Levithan wrote in Love is the Higher Law: “What separates us from animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.” And so we do this today in the aftermath of the Boston terror attack. We mourn. We mourn for those who lost their lives. We mourn for those who lost their loved ones. And we mourn too for all of us, who have lost our bearings once again in a world torn apart by terror. May He give us the courage and the strength to help each other up and face yesterday’s brokenness together.

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About the Author

Sara Debbie Gutfreund received her BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Family Therapy from the University of North Texas. She has taught parenting classes and self-development seminars and provided adolescent counseling. She writes extensively for many online publications and in published anthologies of Jewish women's writing. She and her husband spent 14 wonderful years raising their five children in Israel, and now live in Blue Ridge Estates in Waterbury, Connecticut, where Sara Debbie enjoys skiing and running in her free time.

Visitor Comments: 13

(13)
Beverly Paris,
April 19, 2013 2:25 AM

My heart is full of love for these wounded people. I mourn them

If and when you find these terrorists, they should Be blown apart like these innocent children and adults in the hospitals that are in critical conditions and lying there with missing limbs. I will say a mishaberach in temple on Saturday.

(12)
Saul,
April 17, 2013 6:14 AM

In the name of God

Just how many millions of human beings have died in the name of God? Just look at history. The reality is that people are not only physically but mentally different and therefore follow their own interpretation of life. We have first to accept that not all of us evolve towards civilisation at the same rate and some even go backwards e.g, terrorists motivated by their very basic, primitive instincts of survival through killing others who are different to themselves. We will never change the world to ensure that by some miracle, only the good will inhabit the earth but a giant step forward would be when mankind realises that is NOT a human with all it's positive and negative characteristics but rather a cosmic super intelligence (quote Einstein). When people realise and accept that a veil will be lifted from their eyes and instead praying for special favours or killing others to "please" God, they would wonder and admire the awesome universe, the galaxies, the workings of the human body, the mind the micro-organisms, etc. - all of these the creation of THE SUPREME INTELLIGENCE, and we petty humans, bent on destroying tnot only fellow humans but but also to blow up this very earth with nuclear weapons..

(11)
Esther stahler,
April 17, 2013 1:16 AM

Fantastic enlightening proactive

This fantastic article gives us insights inspiration and proactive ways to deal with this horrific act of terror. Be mindful prayerful and thankful .

(10)
Tatyana,
April 17, 2013 12:21 AM

all we need is...pray!

The story is so well written, from heart to the hearts, that is why the comments are as beautiful and heart breaking as the article. Thanks to everybody and please pray for the comfort of those who needs it! If only we knew....

(9)
Esther,
April 16, 2013 6:50 PM

Accept my condolences

Bible made us to understand that the days are evil, nations are angry, men run tro & fro, knowledge increases, men's love wax cold. All points to the 2nd coming of The Master Of The Universe.

(8)
irene slonimsky,
April 16, 2013 5:52 PM

my thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and their families

may this craziness cease so people can live and appreciate the gift of life instead of killing.

(7)
shelia,
April 16, 2013 4:23 PM

thoughts

your words opened me up to even more comfort and clarity,thank you.will keep praying

(6)
ruth housman,
April 16, 2013 3:34 PM

a Plea to God

I am experiencing a story, and that story presents in constant mirroring connectivity, in words, in the deconstruction of language, and it is a profound walk across Babel. For me, it's a very difficult experience, that brings me towards despair and also ecstasy. And everything in between. I was devastated, as was everyone. I took a walk and saw the MARA or bitter in the word itself Marathon. And it hit hard for me, because I had written in the morning before all this took place, this horror, this utter terror, the fact that we're all in a marathon, as exemplified by the Jacques Brel song, Marathon, which begins, Marathon, Marathon, Mara Mara Marathon. The runners traditionally cross Heartbreak Hill in Newton, so that too, was an echo for me, of this unconscionable act. And I am saying, BASTA to God, because what I am getting makes me put God on trial, and yes, I see layers as in PARDES, the Orchard. Simply how it is, for me. And today Bartlett's a tree company came, to nourish my apple trees and spray them. There are deep currents here, and I am traversing more than one world, and writing my heart out, on line. I cannot be alone with this story forever. And I do, put God on trial. As there's a story within a story. And sure, terror must stop, and these terrorists must be caught.

And God says, put me on trial. I accept responsibility because I wrote this story, and ultimately, as the story winds its way to Jerusalem, through the East Gate, all souls hold hands around the world and we dance.

We must, until then, live within the paradox, And it is profound.

Forgive me, for putting down, what is coming to me, every single day, in every single way. For weeping. And the willows are now bent, and have leafed, in this my garden.

I must believe as Anne did in her Diary, it will all come out all right. I simply MUST!

(5)
Deborah,
April 16, 2013 3:25 PM

Beautifully said. Thank you.

(4)
Yasmin,
April 16, 2013 2:46 PM

Condolences

As I'm receivibg chemotherapy by IV for my second bout with cancer, My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost lived ones or injured. May your loved ones be of blessed memory.
I thank G-D every day that I can breath, walk and able to see the sky.
Blessings.

(3)
candlewitness,
April 16, 2013 2:23 PM

Separate idealism from destruction

Here in the US Terrorism is becoming the norm and being acepted as justifiable. Killing for killing's sake is twisted and demonic. Israel handles terrorism without mixing it up and thus we as a nation must learn from them. An excellent article. Thank you!

(2)
Anonymous,
April 16, 2013 1:07 PM

Thank you

I never even knew this happened. Thank you for telling me. I wish condolences and a speedy recovery to those involved in this terror attack.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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